Brussels 14 October 2024

 

EU SEAFOOD SUPPLY SYNOPSIS 2024 Highlights Seafood’s Vital Role in the EU’s ‎Protein Transition and Public Health

The EU SEAFOOD SUPPLY SYNOPSIS by AIPCE-CEP, provides key insights ‎into the European fish and seafood processing industry, emphasizing the critical role of seafood ‎in the EU’s dietary landscape and its potential to support the Union’s protein transition. As ‎Europe seeks to diversify protein sources and improve public health outcomes, the findings ‎highlight seafood’s unique benefits and its reliance on both domestic and imported supplies.‎

 

Key Findings:‎

  • High Dependency on Imports

In 2023, the EU’s total seafood supply reached 12,473 ‎thousand tonnes, with imports accounting for 68.7% of the total supply. This underlines ‎the importance of a robust global supply chain to meet consumer demand for diverse ‎fish species.‎

  • Public Health Benefits

Regular seafood consumption is linked to numerous health ‎benefits, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and improved cognitive ‎function. These benefits are particularly relevant in the context of the EU’s protein ‎transition, which emphasizes the replacement of less sustainable protein sources with ‎healthier, plant-based, and seafood options.‎

  • Supporting Economic Growth

The reliance on imports fosters job creation and economic ‎growth within the EU’s fish processing sector. By securing a consistent supply of diverse ‎seafood, the industry can innovate and adapt to evolving consumer preferences.‎

Call to Action

The findings of the EU SEAFOOD SUPPLY SYNOPSIS call on the EU ‎Commission to recognize seafood’s essential role in the protein transition and public health ‎strategy. To support the industry’s growth, we urge policymakers to:‎

  • Enhance Trade Agreements: Facilitate seamless trade flows with third countries to ensure ‎a consistent seafood supply and minimize barriers that could hinder imports.‎
  • Boost EU production, fisheries and aquaculture: Increase support for sustainable practices and technological innovation in EU fisheries and aquaculture to enhance local production and foster more resilient domestic supply chains. 
  • Promote Public Awareness: Raise awareness about the health benefits of seafood ‎consumption as part of a balanced diet, encouraging consumers to choose fish as a ‎primary protein source.‎
  • Support Seafood Consumption: Integrate seafood more deeply into European diets. This is ‎not only a matter of health but also of economic and environmental sustainability. By ‎leveraging new trade agreements and tariff quotas (ATQs) and boosting EU production, the EU can continue to ‎benefit from a wide range of seafood, which is crucial for promoting balanced nutrition ‎and supporting local economies.‎

As the EU navigates its protein transition, the seafood industry is prepared to provide nutritious and ‎sustainable options for consumers. The EU SEAFOOD SUPPLY SYNOPSIS underlines the ‎importance of continued investment in both domestic production and international trade to ‎achieve these goals.‎

For more information, please contact Katarina Sipic Secretary General AIPCE-CEP at ksipic@kellencompany.com